Scrivener, Jager to debut at NE Amateur
BY Anthony Powter | US Mens Amateur Tour | 2008 Northeast Amateur Championship | Preview | 18 Jun 2008
The Northeast Amateur Championship is regarded as one of the major amateur US Championships. The tournament, played at Wannamoisett Country Club in Rumford, Rhode Island, is ranked 7th under the Scratch Players tournament ranking system, two places above the Australian Amateur. Previous winners have included David Duval (1991), Notah Begay III (1995) and Luke Donald (2000 & 2001).
Matt Jager Audio Interview
No Australian has won the event. Matt Jager and Jason Scrivener, two of our most promising young guns, may well change that this week at Rumford, on the North American mainland, some three hours drive north of New York.
“It’s great to finally be here,” remarked Jager this morning as he was preparing for an opening practice round.
“We’ve been here for a week or so now and are settling in. The layout is unreal and the body is now ready, after the long flight. Both Jason [Scrivener] and I cannot wait to get out there.”
For both Scrivener and Jager, the Northeast Amateur represents their respective baptisms to major US amateur golf. Both previously have ventured to the US, but only in junior events. This season is their first taste of major world amateur tournaments.
Jager, 19, returns to America full of promise and poise, to establish himself as one of the world’s up and coming amateurs. Jager’s recent Australian record in 2007-08, of seven top-10 finishes in National selection trial events, including a runner-up to the in-form Matthew Griffin at the Mandurah Easter Amateur, is a testament to his promising talent. Scrivener is no different, with similar achievements and is also an extremely promising young talent.
Contestants playing the Northeast Amateur at the Wannamoisett Country Club layout were, according to tournament organisers, selected on the basis of their competitive record and accomplishments in major amateur tournaments throughout the year. The tournament will be played over four days of 18 hole rounds with no cut. It’s a perfect opening tournament for both Scrivener and Jager.
They are joined at Rhode Island by Grant Scott and John Herrick. Scott coming off impressive Australian summer performances, including a tied runner-up finish at the Australian Amateur Medal, in April at Royal Adelaide. Last week Scott finished a creditable T14 at the Monroe Invitational in his opening American event. A seasoned amateur, compared to Jager and Scrivener, I also rate Scott’s chances of collecting a major American title this tour.
New Zealand’s whiz kid, Danny Lee also makes his first US appearance and the world number six, certainly will be a player to follow during the tournament.
Just two years ago, Jason Day played into contention at Wannamoisett, to eventually finish T9, the best Australian performance in the twenty-six year history of the tournament.
This year only four Australians will contest the event, with the majority of the Australian currently based in the US resting for the Dogwood Invitational, starting June 25. Tim Stewart, Rohan Blizard, Scott Arnold and others are also currently competing in the British Amateur, and are not scheduled to play in America until the Dogwood Invitational.
Last year American Dustin Johnson was the only player in the field to finish under-par, with a 1-under, 275, to beat both Drew Kittleson and Chris Kirk by two strokes. This year, it’s hoped an Aussie will create tournament history, and with the likes of Scrivener, Jager and Scott, our chances are certainly strong.
